Mariam Hatch

Mariam Schoonover Hatch passed away peacefully in August 2026 at the age of 87, surrounded by her family. 

She is survived by her husband, Gary; her daughter, Lisa; her son, Steve; and her beloved grandchildren, Marcos, Liam, and Samantha. 

Mariam lived a life defined by gratitude, love, learning, and service to others. A longtime educator in the Ithaca City School District, teaching was her passion and purpose. She enjoyed working with children of all ages. Mariam had the ability to encourage those around her to help themselves, to be curious and to take action while being accepting of things they could not change. 

Mariam enjoyed art and nature, contrast and color. Her artistic and creative flare was seen in her classrooms and home decor; in her large dinner parties and travel snacks; and in the art mediums of clay, water color, paper cutting and, of course, her cooking. She enjoyed talking about what she read. She was always the teacher, collecting pertinent news articles for family members. She was a lover of watermelon, dark leafy greens and semi-sweet chocolate chips. She loved playing games—and holds the family title of Scrabble player extraordinaire. When large-scale gardening no longer excited her, she focused her green thumb on houseplants and deck pots—luscious greenery filled her home. 

She was an enthusiastic traveler even as a young girl. Sabbaticals, vacation plans, and other country destinations—she always said yes to. Family gatherings for birthdays, school events, graduations, even a wedding with all of us gathered up were her favorites. Even when things were getting more difficult for her, she was determined to go! And, oh, did she love going.

She was a caregiver in the truest sense of the word. Her optimism and cheerfulness were true beacons in the most challenging times.

 “I’m okay, you’re okay” was her motto. She was accepting of all people and believed they were doing their best. She accentuated the positive.

Above all, Mariam was grateful. She appreciated the simple gifts of daily life and felt deep gratitude for being able to do and be. Even in the face of numerous uncertain medical challenges -for herself and others- she remained grateful. We continue to learn from her examples of perseverance, optimism, curiosity, love, courage, and the ability to adapt with life’s changes. 

We found the obituary she wrote and it said, 

“Mariam Hatch 1939 - 2036 (yes, she wrote 2036!) SO GRATEFUL.”

 And so are we—so grateful for 87 years of Mariam, for the loving daughter, sister, wife, sister in law, mother, aunt, cousin, teacher, grandmother she was. We are “So grateful!”

No funeral service. Donations in her honor can be made to the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes.